Celebrating Independence Day: A Mexican Tradition
Celebration is a fundamental part of Mexican culture, especially on September 15 to commemorate Independence. Whether with family or friends, in gatherings where everyone contributes a dish, Mexicans create unforgettable parties without the need for large budgets.
The Prevalence of Celebrations
According to the Kantar 2025 study, 94% of Mexicans celebrate in some way the Independence Day, and for 9 out of 10 people, their own home or a relative’s home is the main meeting point.
Pambazos: A Tradition for 34% of Families
Traditional dishes remain the stars, and among them, the pambazo is a tradition for 34% of families, according to the same source.
María Luisa Nava García shares that out of tradition, she prepares pambazos to gather with her family at home and estimates a spending of approximately 300 pesos for this preparation. This year, she will organize a small gathering with elderly people—allocating 55 pesos for music—and will participate in another “dress-up” celebration, where everyone brings something to share, such as potatoes with longaniza, Mexican-style sausages, pizza, rice pudding, and soft drinks. Although some dishes aren’t typically Mexican, the goal is to celebrate together on September 15.
Special Celebrations: A Budget of Up to 4,000 Pesos
Paloma Jiménez relates that, although her family usually doesn’t hold large gatherings, this year they will take advantage of it coinciding with her husband’s and brother-in-law’s birthdays to organize a more special party. They plan to prepare between five and six guisados, buy tequila, mezcal, decorations, traditional clothing, and a cake. The estimated budget is around 4,000 pesos due to the combination of celebrations.
Pozole: The King of Independence Day Dishes
According to the Kantar study, the most prepared dish is pozole, made in 86% of homes during Independence Day celebrations. Mónica Trujillo indicates that in her family, she prepares the main dish, and the others contribute with toppings like tostadas, crema, and beans. She estimates a spending of 800 pesos for meat and corn this year.
Impact of Rising Ingredient Costs
According to México, ¿Cómo Vamos?, by August 2025, some key ingredients for these celebrations have registered increases: beef rose 17.74% annually, serrano chili 34.94%, green tomato 16.71%, and although chicken decreased compared to the previous month, it is 4.4% higher than the previous year. These increases directly impact the family budgets for organizing Independence Day celebrations.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: How many Mexicans celebrate Independence Day? 94% of Mexicans celebrate in some way, according to the Kantar 2025 study.
- Q: What is the most popular dish during Independence Day celebrations? Pozole is prepared in 86% of Mexican homes, as per the Kantar study.
- Q: How much do families typically spend on Independence Day celebrations? Budgets range from modest gatherings of 300 pesos to celebrations exceeding 4,000 pesos.
- Q: How have rising ingredient costs affected family budgets? Key ingredients like beef, chili, tomatoes, and chicken have increased in price, directly impacting family budgets for Independence Day celebrations.
